Category: Abstract

Make Cynicism Great Again

I bring you greetings from the hyperbolic death bed of a conspiracy theorist; here is my eulogy.

I saw a tweet from Yoko Ono, wishing Paul McCartney a Happy Birthday. As tradition would have it, I quoted the tweet and added a “Paul is Dead” for good measure. As I scrolled the comments to see who had done the same, I was disappointed. No one had mentioned Paul’s very non existent death, a theory as old as the Beatles themselves. What a fucking world”, I thought to myself…”or am I just old?”
The state of the current free world (pun intended) is in upheaval. Anarchy of sorts is upon us and many are excited or scared to death of: the pandemic, the importance of Black lives, killer hornets, the return of sports, a president and his twitter account as my list could continue on and on. What I am NOT seeing is a bunch of the conspiracy theorist in record numbers. Where are the people who believe this is all a government cover up to bring on the new world order? Where are the breakdowns about the book of Revelation and mark of the beast? Where are the urban legends about the loc ness monster in the chlamydia infested artic ocean? In my Lestat voice “come out come out, wherever you are.” Lets make modern philosophy and cynicism great again.

Not Another Summer Reading List [2019]

Summers here and the time is right for dancing in the street…with a book of some kind. Like a kid in a candy store, I got excited looking at new releases for this summer and the upcoming fall. My email has been one ongoing notification signal after another with: good reads reviews, e books, local library updates, audio book subscriptions etc. Needless to say I’m drowning in more literature than I can keep up with…and I couldn’t be happier! Allow me to share what I’m reading currently and I hope you will do the same.

“Buck: A Memoir” by MK Asante

Asante was actually a professor at Morgan State University when I was studying some years ago. I never got to take any of his classes, but we spoke a few times. I was told that his lectures were all the rave due to his love of the Hip Hop culture and views on the world as we connect to it. “Buck” is his autobiography, growing up the mean streets of Philadelphia and overcoming adversity to become a filmmaker, writer, emcee, and professor to name a few. I JUST snagged this hard copy and will dive in head first soon.

“Brief Answers to the Big Questions” by Stephen Hawking

I just finished this read a few days ago and got damnit am I thankful for the mind of Mr. Hawking. I know nothing of cosmology, but this book gives us the short answer to the timeless questions that are unanswered today…according to Hawking of course. Do aliens exist? Should the human race try and relocate to another planet? Is God real? I absolutely LIVE for the existential moments in literature that feed my inner question mark. You are not alone science nerds. Come one, come all. You have friends here. Rest in Peace, Mr. Hawking.

“I Will Teach You To Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi

What is a summer reading list without a self help book? I think I’m half way through this, but there are some REALLY good tips for the financially challenged here. If we are ever going to get ahead, we have to stop running from our finances, crack a book, and take a hard look at our retirement options before it’s too late. Sethi offers readers the play by play on choosing banks, investment options, and automation to make money work for you. This book is a quick read, I recommend it to anyone.

“Music Theory: From Absolute Beginner to Expert” by Nicolas Carter

I play entirely too many fucking instruments to know nothing about theory. I guess it’s time to crack a book on it, eh? I have this in audio book form and it’s only bout 2 hours long. I’m hoping to get some insight.

Well, that’s my list of current reads for now. I’m hoping to add some fiction to the list soon. What books have your hands occupied this Summer? Follow me on Twitter @Dropajewel and let me know your thoughts. #doitnow

[Article] Jean-Michel Basquiat: The neglected genius

The thing I love most about art, is the fact that it is so open to interpretation, that the artist could paint something one way and the viewer see something completely different. The thing I hate most about art, is chances are, an artist will be good and dead before ever given a decent amount of recognition. Cue this BBC article on Jean-Michel Basquiat, and share your thoughts.

http://flip.it/gDr5lJ0